Lock for loose-leaf binders



I May 11,1926. 1,584,179

C. F. MCBEE LOOK FOR LOOSE LEAF BINDERS Filed August 15, 1921 is 25 n l9 7 as 65 "m2 I 1% '3 v FICG/" 5 1@% WITNESSES: INVENTOR Gaul.- 6 /142455 71 52:

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Patented May 11, 1926.

unrrs CHARLES F. MCBEE, 0F ATHENS, OHIO, ASSIGNGR TO MOBEE BINDER COMPANY, OF

ATHENS, OHIO.

LOOK FOR LGOSE-LEAF BINDERS.

Application filed August 13, 1921. Serial No. 492,083.

My invention relates to that class of loose leaf binders wherein covers are used and a plurality of vertical receiving posts are secured to the lower cover, and the upper cover is perforated to fit over these posts and on top of the papers filed.

The object of my invention is to provide simple durable and adequate locking means for this upper cover, so constructed that the cover may be easily and quickly removed from the posts, but when in position thereon will be firmly locked.

A further object is to produce such a lock in a manner that will not tend to weaken the posts, because of providing for equal pressure to opposite sides of the posts.

My invention consists of certain details of construction hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a plan View of my improved lock fitted to a cover and locked to the posts;

Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of a loose leaf binder fitted out with my lock, the dotted lines showing the position of the parts of thelock when it is in the position which will permit the cover to be removed;

Figure 3 shows a detail view of my lock, a portion of the locking spring being broken away; and

Figure 4c shows a detail view illustrating the locking leaf spring which I employ.

Referring to the accompanying drawings the reference numeral 10 is used to indicate the lower cover of a loose leaf binder to which are secured two, 01' more, rigidly mounted upstanding parallel posts 11. The numeral 12 indicates the papers which have been filed on the posts, said papers having first been perforated to fit over the posts. The numeral 13 indicates the upper cover I employ, which cover is likewise perforated so as to [it over the posts 11. Near the center of the upper cover and on the outer surface thereof, 1 have secured the inner ends of two leaf springs 14 and 15, said springs being exactly similar in every respect and each of them projecting outwardly and overlying their respective perforations in the upper cover. These springs are each provided with an elongated perforation 16 and 17 respectively, the inner edge of each perforation extending beyond the inner edge of its respective orifice in the cover, so that the por tion of the leaf spring which is not perfo rated overlies its respective orifice in the cover. These perforations in the leaf springs are, as before stated, elongated so that the outer edges of the orifices extend beyond the outer edges of their respective perforations in the cover.

On the upper cover between the perforations therein and each outer edge and ad jacent the perforations, I have mounted a plate, 18 and 19 respectively, said plates being rigidly secured, the inner ends of each plate being near their respective orifices. These plates are, preferably, stamped with lateral projections formed to turn upwardly to provide ears 2020 and 2l-21, respectively, the said ears being perforated to receive lugs 22-22 and 23-23 respectively, on substantially right-angular levers 24 and 25 respectively. The arrangement of these levers and plates with their engaging ears is such that the levers are pivoted from their mountings with the ears. The inner end of these levers are provided with recesses 26 and 27 respectively, to receive their respective posts the construction being such that a portion of each of the levers overlies the outer edge of its respective orifice in the up per cover. Said inner ends of these levers underlie the leaf springs 14: and 15, respectively.

The levers are angled as shown so that when the leaf springs and their respective levers are lying substantially flat on top of the upper cover, the outer ends of the levers are projected upwardly. hen the parts are in this position the greater portion of each of the orifices in the cover is covered so that the binding posts could not go through the respective parts of the locking means. hen it is desired to place the upper cover on the posts, the operator applies pressure outwardly to each of the levers. This elevates the inner portion of the levers and as they underlie their respective leaf springs, it is obvious the leaf springs are also elevated. The elevation of the leaf springs and the inner portions of their respective levers causes that portion of the springs and levers which overlie their re spective orifices in the covers to be moved outwardly, thus allowing complete clearance, so that the binding posts may be projected upwardly through their respective levers and springs and the cover may be fitted on the posts. The construction is such that when the levers have been forced outwardly and downwardly, to their limit of movement, they will have passed that certain point which will cause the leaf springs then to operate as a locking means to hold their respective levers in this position, the parts being open to receive the binding posts. l hen the cover has been fittted over the papers in the file, the operator releases these levers and the springs then function to press downwardly on the inner upper surfaces of the levers, thus firmly locking the springs and levers to their respective posts. lhe construction of the orifices are such that when the parts are locked to the posts, the leaf springs will be in rigid contact with their respective posts as will also the inner portions of the respective levers. This causes each post to be engaged firmly from opposite sides, thus eliminating the tendency of throwing the posts out of proper alinement by pressure being applied only on one side of each of them.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A look for loose leaf binders, comprising a cover perforated to receive binding posts; perforated leaf springs overlying the perforations in the cover, and being slightly out of register therewith; a lever pivotally mounted to the cover between each of the perforations in the cover and the respective outer edge surfaces of the cover, said levers being substantially of bell-crank formation, their inner ends underlying their respective leaf springs, each of said levers being recessed in their inner ends, said recesses and their respective perforations in the cover being out of register so that the levers slightly overlie the perforations in the cover, the construction and mounting of the levers being such that when the outer ends of the levers are pressed downwardly to their limit of movement they will remain in that position until released, holding both themselves and their respective leaf springs out of engagement with their respective binding posts, but when released the leaf springs will force both themselves and the levers into engagement with their respective posts.

CHARLES F. MGBEE. 

